Ayurvedic Medicine is also called Ayurveda. It is a system of medicine that originated in India several thousand years ago. The term Ayurveda combines two Sanskrit words: ayur, which means life, and veda, which means science or knowledge. Ayurveda means "the science of life."

Ayurveda is a whole medical system which integrates and balances the body, mind, and spirit (thus, it is considered "holistic"). This balance is necessary for contentment and good health. Ayurveda also proposes treatments for specific health problems. A primary aim of Ayurvedic medicine is to cleanse the body of substances that can cause disease. This helps re-establish the harmony and balance necessary for optimal health.

Ayurveda has long been the main system of health care in India. About 70 percent of India's population lives in rural areas; about two-thirds of rural people use Ayurveda and medicinal plants to meet their primary health care needs. In addition, most major cities have an Ayurvedic college and hospital. There are 587,536 registered traditional medical practitioners, 2,860 hospitals providing Ayurvedic treatment, and 22,100 dispensaries for traditional medicine in India. This allows over 500 million people in India to rely solely on Ayurveda today.

Ayurveda and variations of it have also been practiced for centuries in Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Tibet. The professional practice of Ayurveda in the United States began to grow and became more visible in the late 20th century.

Professional Accreditation

Practitioners of Ayurveda have various types of training. Some are trained in the Western medical tradition (such as medical or nursing school) and then study Ayurveda. Others may have training in naturopathic medicine, a whole medical system, either before or after their Ayurvedic training. Many study in India, where there are more than 150 undergraduate and more than 30 postgraduate colleges for Ayurveda. This training can take up to 5 years.

Reliance on Herbs

According to World Health Organization report, over 80% of the world population relies on plant-based traditional medicine for their primary healthcare needs.

In Ayurveda, the distinction between food and medicine is not as clear as in Western medicine. Food and diet are important components of Ayurvedic practice, and so there is a heavy reliance on treatments based on herbs and plants, oils (such as sesame oil), common spices (such as turmeric), and other naturally occurring substances.

Currently, some 5,000 products are included in the "pharmacy" of Ayurvedic treatments. Historically, plant compounds have been grouped into categories according to their effects. For example, some compounds are thought to heal, promote vitality, or relieve pain. The compounds are described in many texts prepared through national medical agencies in India. The following are examples of commonly used herbs:

The spice turmeric has been used for various diseases and conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and wound healing.

An extract from the resin from a tropical shrub (Commiphora mukul, or guggul) has been used for a variety of illnesses. In recent years, there has been research interest in its use to lower cholesterol.

The essential oil extracted from Holy Basil is used as counteract depression and mental stress.

India has 16 agro-climatic zones, 45,000 different plant species, and 15,000 medicinal plants. The Indian Systems of Medicine have identified 1,500 medicinal plants, of which 500 species are mostly used in the preparation of drugs. These medicinal plants contribute to 80% of the raw materials used in the preparation of Ayurvedic Medicine.

Regulatory Situation

Ayurveda and Yoga are recognized by the Government of India. The first step in granting this recognition was the creation of the Central Council of Indian Medicine Act of 1970. The main mandates of the Central Council are as follows:

to standardize training by prescribing minimum standards of education in traditional medicine, although not all traditional practitioners and homeopaths need to be institutionally trained to practice;

to advise the central Government in matters relating to recognition / withdrawal of medical qualifications in traditional medicine in India;

to maintain the central register of Indian medicine, revise the register from time to time, prescribe standards of professional conduct and etiquette, and develop a code of ethics to be observed by practitioners of traditional medicine in India. All traditional medicine practitioners and homeopaths must be registered to practice.

The Indian Government seeks the active and positive use of traditional medicine in national health programmes, family welfare programmes, and primary health care.

Milestones in the Development of Ayurveda

Source: Department of Ayurveda, Government of India

Divine origin of Ayurveda from Lord Brahma - Dates back to origin of human race

Mention of various references on Health, Diseases and Medicinal Plants in Rig-veda and Atharv-veda - 5000 BC

Origin of Attreya and Dhanwantari School of Ayurveda - 1000 BC

Documentation of Charaka Samhita - 600 BC

Documentation of Sushruta Samhita- 500 BC

Advent of Muslim Rulers and start of the Decline of Ayurveda - 1100 to 1800

Resurrection of Ayurvedic system of Medicine under the rule of Peshwas. - 1800 AD

Classes in Ayurvedic medicine opened in Government Sanskrit College, Calcutta - 1827

Discontinuation of classes in Government Sanskrit College by British - 1833

Dr. Komar Commission (one-man commission) to make investigation in indigenous system of medicine - 1917

Indian National Congress Convention at Nagpur recommended acceptance of Ayurvedic system of medicine as India's National Health Care System - 1920

Gazette Notification for constitution of Medicinal Plant Board under the Deptt. of Indian Systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy - 2000

Publication of 2nd volume of Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia - 2000

Introduction 7 of Ayurvedic Medicines in RCH Programme - 2000

Constitution of Advisory group for research in Ayurveda - 2000

Policy Decision on mainstreaming of Ayurveda in RCH programme as per National Population Policy - 2000

Implementation of Central Scheme of assistance for strengthening of State Drug Testing Laborites and Pharmacies - 2000 to 2001

Publication of 3rd volume of Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia - 2001

Publication of English edition of 2nd volume of Ayurvedic Formulary of India - 2001

Maiden participation of ISM tableau on Republic Day - 2001

Exhibition and presentation of Ayurveda during World Health Assembly, Geneva - 2001

Presentation on evidence based support by Deptt. of ISM&H before House of Lords, U.K. against Sir Walton Committee's Report on status and nomenclature of Ayurveda among Complementary and Alternative systems of Medicine - 2001

Participation of Dept. in "Made in India" exhibition organized by CII in South Africa - 2001

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